On Tuesday, the Statham City Council voted to approve the Statham Police Department to sell or trade a unique weapon it has kept since the early 1970’s. It is possible the Smith & Wesson Model 76 submachine gun the department acquired decades ago could be worth $6,000 to $11,000.

Statham Police Chief Steve Martin sent the following email Thursday:

"The Statham Police Department recently requested that the City Council consider allowing the chief to dispose of a Smith & Wesson Model 76 Submachine gun.

The weapon was obtained in the early 1970's and has been stored in secure storage since then. It was designed for special use by the Navy SEALS in the Vietnam War, but not all of the weapons that were made were delivered to the military. Some of the surplus weapons were provided to law enforcement agencies around the country for their use.

"Since the weapon is not useful to the department, the chief requested that he be allowed to properly dispose of the weapon to a firearms dealer who is properly licensed by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms. The city council voted in favor of the weapons disposal. The press release stated that the gun could possibly be a collectible piece worth a significant amount of money depending on its condition and type of documentation.

"For security purposes the gun has been secured in an undisclosed location pending its disposal."

Martin told the Barrow Journal Thursday that the weapon is in immaculate condition.

See the May 23 print edition of the Barrow Journal for the full story.

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